T20 World Cup Starts Off With An Upset, Namibia Script History With 55-Run Win Against Sri Lanka
Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit displayed brilliant all-round performances in the first match of the T20 World Cup 2022 as Namibia handed Sri Lanka a big 55-run defeat to start the tournament off with a major upset. In reply to Namibia's total of 163 runs, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 108 runs in 19 overs.
Chasing a target of 164 runs, Sri Lanka were off to a bad start as they lost their top 4 batters for just 40 runs. After this, wickets kept on falling at regular intervals. Captain Dasun Shanaka was the top scorer for his team with 29 runs (4x2, 6x1) while Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 20 runs (4x2). Dhananjaya de Silva (12) was the only other Lankan batter to cross the double-digit mark.
For Namibia, David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo and Jan Frylinck grabbed 2 wickets each while JJ Smit managed 1 wicket.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat first, Namibia posted 163/7 in 20 overs. Jan Frylinck top-scored for Namibia as he smacked 44 runs off 28 balls with 4 fours. While JJ Smit provided excellent finishing as he smashed an unbeaten 31 runs off 16 balls with 2 fours & 2 sixes. Smit and Frylinck together added a thunderous 68 runs in the last 5 overs for Namibia.
Frylinck and Smit etched a partnership of 70 runs for the 7th wicket. Apart from Frylinck and Smit, Stephan Baard also contributed with 26 runs, while Loftie-Eaton and captain Gerhard Erasmus scored 20 runs each for their side.
For Sri Lanka, Pramod Madushan picked up 2 wickets while Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne and Wanindu Hasaranga managed 1 wicket each.
Also Read: T20 WC Schedule & squads 2022
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss & opted to field first against Namibia in the first Round 1 match of T20 World Cup 2022. This match was played at Simonds Stadium, Geelong.
Brief Score:
- NAM – 163/7 (Frylinck - 44(28), Madushan - 2/37)
- SL – 108/10 in 19 overs (Shanaka - 29(23), Wiese - 2/16)